Coming out as a Conservative
Coming out as a conservative to my family was an interesting experience. (I did it a little bit before Cameron arrived.) Reactions varied widely. Some were simply astonished. Others, I am sure, considered it (and still consider it) a betrayal. The most memorable comment has been
I just don’t think you can be a conservative and a christian at the same time.
Hmmm. Well, since I’m not christian I suppose that’s ok.
It is interesting that when compared to some in my family, I am very liberal. There are members of my family who believe in bringing back the death penalty and sending all asylum seekers home to be tortured. (I don’t think they are too hot on the gays either.) But it’s my supporting the Conservative Party that’s really scary.
In my head I get the chance to thoroughly explain why I am conservative and through a kind of Socratic dialogue bring my relatives onside. In real life there are no such opportunities.
One time someone did ask me outright, in shocked tones, “why are you a conservative?!”. I replied, ducking the question entirely, “because I hate poor people.” This was hilarious because for about 5 solid seconds everyone just looked shocked. It took the one other guy in the room who I know to be Tory to start laughing before they picked up I was joking. Sheesh.
That was from The West Wing of course. The hot Republican guy is asked by the hot Democrat babe, why is he a Republican?
Because I hate poor people. They don’t have jobs, some of them smell bad. I hate them Donna.
Fortunately I had this in my head when I was asked to defend myself, and I think it’s an effective way of unloading the question.
Of course this is less necessary now that Cameron has done such a good job of decontaminating the brand. In a way it makes me sad. There’s nothing like being a real Radical.